Advertisements

On 20 Mar 2005 02:07:01 GMT, DC <> wrote:
>Well, winter is almost at an end. I have a significant build-up of
>hardened salt crystals embedded in the carpets in my car. What is the
>best way to remove this stuff?

Removing "salt stains" from carpets - "Salt" stains are usually caused
by calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, not sodium chloride,
caccording to the Carpet and Rug Institute. Rock salt has small
amounts of both of these salts imbedded in it. The problem comes with
solubility. Patience and lots of rinse cycles are the key and
sometimes calcium carbonate forms and this is fairly insoluble. Try
to vacuum most of the dry residue off before using cool to warm water
and a very small amount of carpet shampoo. Once the cleaning solution
has been applied, allow time for it to dissolve the deposit. Blot, do
not scrub, the spot. Sodium chloride is more soluble at lower temps
than at higher ones. Then rinse with clear lukewarm water, blotting
up the excess moisture and follow with another water rinse and blot
dry. This should work. If not, try a cleaning mixture of 1/2 white
vinegar to 1/2 lukewarm water, allow to stand 15 minutes and rinse
with clear water.

Advertisements

"DC" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Well, winter is almost at an end. I have a significant build-up of
> hardened salt crystals embedded in the carpets in my car. What is the
> best way to remove this stuff?

cluedweasel wrote:
> On 20 Mar 2005 02:07:01 GMT, DC <> wrote:
>>Well, winter is almost at an end. I have a significant build-up of
>>hardened salt crystals embedded in the carpets in my car. What is the
>>best way to remove this stuff?
> From http://www.saltinstitute.org no less;
> Removing "salt stains" from carpets - "Salt" stains are usually caused
> by calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, not sodium chloride,
> caccording to the Carpet and Rug Institute. Rock salt has small
> amounts of both of these salts imbedded in it. The problem comes with
> solubility. Patience and lots of rinse cycles are the key and
> sometimes calcium carbonate forms and this is fairly insoluble. Try
> to vacuum most of the dry residue off before using cool to warm water
> and a very small amount of carpet shampoo. Once the cleaning solution
> has been applied, allow time for it to dissolve the deposit. Blot, do
> not scrub, the spot. Sodium chloride is more soluble at lower temps
> than at higher ones. Then rinse with clear lukewarm water, blotting
> up the excess moisture and follow with another water rinse and blot
> dry. This should work. If not, try a cleaning mixture of 1/2 white
> vinegar to 1/2 lukewarm water, allow to stand 15 minutes and rinse
> with clear water.

Cool. I'll check that out.

I'm also hoping for some first-hand feedback. I'd hate to ruin my car's
interior -- I was hesitant to use warm water for fear that it would
simply spread the dissolved salt water and increase the chance of
rusting out the floorboard prematurely.

Patrick Cleburne wrote:
> "DC" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Well, winter is almost at an end. I have a significant build-up of
>> hardened salt crystals embedded in the carpets in my car. What is the
>> best way to remove this stuff?
> Move south...

On 20 Mar 2005 02:25:17 GMT, DC <> wrote:
>cluedweasel wrote:
>> On 20 Mar 2005 02:07:01 GMT, DC <> wrote:
>
>>>Well, winter is almost at an end. I have a significant build-up of
>>>hardened salt crystals embedded in the carpets in my car. What is the
>>>best way to remove this stuff?
>
>I'm also hoping for some first-hand feedback. I'd hate to ruin my car's
>interior -- I was hesitant to use warm water for fear that it would
>simply spread the dissolved salt water and increase the chance of
>rusting out the floorboard prematurely.
>

I always put some cheap rubber mats from Walmart in my cars at the
start of winter. Then again, I'm just a smartarse.

cluedweasel wrote:
> On 20 Mar 2005 02:25:17 GMT, DC <> wrote:
>>cluedweasel wrote:
>>> On 20 Mar 2005 02:07:01 GMT, DC <> wrote:
>>>>Well, winter is almost at an end. I have a significant build-up of
>>>>hardened salt crystals embedded in the carpets in my car. What is the
>>>>best way to remove this stuff?

>>I'm also hoping for some first-hand feedback. I'd hate to ruin my car's
>>interior -- I was hesitant to use warm water for fear that it would
>>simply spread the dissolved salt water and increase the chance of
>>rusting out the floorboard prematurely.

> I always put some cheap rubber mats from Walmart in my cars at the
> start of winter. Then again, I'm just a smartarse.

I've got Pant Savers(tm) in my car, but no mat catches everything. And
the kids can't seem to keep their goddamn feet on them. }:O)

"cluedweasel" <> wrote in message
news:...
On 20 Mar 2005 02:07:01 GMT, DC <> wrote:
>Well, winter is almost at an end. I have a significant build-up of
>hardened salt crystals embedded in the carpets in my car. What is the
>best way to remove this stuff?

Removing "salt stains" from carpets - "Salt" stains are usually caused
by calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, not sodium chloride,
caccording to the Carpet and Rug Institute. Rock salt has small
amounts of both of these salts imbedded in it. The problem comes with
solubility. Patience and lots of rinse cycles are the key and
sometimes calcium carbonate forms and this is fairly insoluble. Try
to vacuum most of the dry residue off before using cool to warm water
and a very small amount of carpet shampoo. Once the cleaning solution
has been applied, allow time for it to dissolve the deposit. Blot, do
not scrub, the spot. Sodium chloride is more soluble at lower temps
than at higher ones. Then rinse with clear lukewarm water, blotting
up the excess moisture and follow with another water rinse and blot
dry. This should work. If not, try a cleaning mixture of 1/2 white
vinegar to 1/2 lukewarm water, allow to stand 15 minutes and rinse
with clear water.

DC wrote:
> Well, winter is almost at an end. I have a significant build-up of
> hardened salt crystals embedded in the carpets in my car. What is the
> best way to remove this stuff?

We use a Wet and Dry Vacuum. Various vehicles over many years. Dry vac then
carpet shampoo on the wet cycle.
--
I told his psychiatrist that everyone hates him. He said I was being
ridiculous - everyone hasn't met him yet. Rodney Dangerfield

"DC" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Patrick Cleburne wrote:
>> "DC" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Well, winter is almost at an end. I have a significant build-up of
>>> hardened salt crystals embedded in the carpets in my car. What is the
>>> best way to remove this stuff?
>
>> Move south...
>
> No thanks. I'm unarmed.

Not to worry-- most bars and restaurants do a weapons check at the door. If
you don't have a pistol, they issue you one.

Patrick Cleburne wrote:
> "DC" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Patrick Cleburne wrote:
>>> "DC" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> Well, winter is almost at an end. I have a significant build-up of
>>>> hardened salt crystals embedded in the carpets in my car. What is the
>>>> best way to remove this stuff?
>>> Move south...
>> No thanks. I'm unarmed.
> Not to worry-- most bars and restaurants do a weapons check at the door. If
> you don't have a pistol, they issue you one.

Funny that you mention that -- a friend of mine went on a road trip
through Louisiana and said the same thing after visiting some backwoods
watering hole. }:O)

Scraggy wrote:
> DC wrote:
>> Well, winter is almost at an end. I have a significant build-up of
>> hardened salt crystals embedded in the carpets in my car. What is the
>> best way to remove this stuff?
> We use a Wet and Dry Vacuum. Various vehicles over many years. Dry vac then
> carpet shampoo on the wet cycle.

DC <> wrote in
news::
> Patrick Cleburne wrote:
>
>> "DC" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Patrick Cleburne wrote:
>>>> "DC" <> wrote in message
>>>> news:...
>>>>> Well, winter is almost at an end. I have a significant
>>>>> build-up of hardened salt crystals embedded in the
>>>>> carpets in my car. What is the best way to remove this
>>>>> stuff?
>
>>>> Move south...
>
>>> No thanks. I'm unarmed.
>
>> Not to worry-- most bars and restaurants do a weapons check
>> at the door. If you don't have a pistol, they issue you
>> one.
>
> Funny that you mention that -- a friend of mine went on a
> road trip through Louisiana and said the same thing after
> visiting some backwoods watering hole. }:O)
>

But Louisiana is a backwoods watering hole.

If you move to Texas a rifle rack for your pickup is NOT and
option - it's standard equipment.

Mix together warm water and white vinegar
Vinegar, while carrying a strong scent, is one of the most powerful cleaning agents that you can find. If you don't have any spare white vinegar lying around, you can substitute in dish-washing detergent, but it probably won't be as effective.

Share This Page

Welcome to Velocity Reviews!

Welcome to the Velocity Reviews, the place to come for the latest tech news and reviews.

Please join our friendly community by clicking the button below - it only takes a few seconds and is totally free. You'll be able to chat with other enthusiasts and get tech help from other members.
Sign up now!